I am amazed at the amount of clouded data that is out there
fighting common core and sage testing. I
have spoken with other parents, a few of which are teachers. Some are ok with the programs others are
extremely worried. I have friends who have removed their kids from school due
to this change. I have other friends who
have chosen for their kids to opt out of SAGE testing. After reading through the data provided in this
module I feel that the standards and accountability are good.
I remember taking end of year tests when I was in school. I remember that they were stressful but they were
important. If we do not study the
material we are taught and continue to use the knowledge we do not retain it. Tests allow students to know where they need
to improve. The student and parent need
to be given the tests when they are done being reviewed so each student can do
better on a personal level.
In my service learning classroom the standards are split
up. English language arts are taught by
the English teacher with little math.
Art and Health are taught in the English classroom. Math, however, is taught in the Spanish
classroom. So, because of this I have
not seen it taught. I have seen what my
daughter brings home and it seem close to the same level of what is supposed to
be taught. Her report card shows me what
areas she is doing well in and what areas she needs to improve on in both
areas.
I have spoken to my friend who teaches 5th grade
about the State of Utah standards. I
plan on finishing my service learning in her classroom so I can see what it’s
like not in the dual immersion program and what teaching is like at higher
grade level. Amber Probst is a new
teacher who just finished the Elementary education program at Utah Valley
University. She is not concerned with
the current standards and accountability.
She feels that since she did not know the standards before it’s easier
to be accepting with these standards. If
the new standards help our students then they are a better way to teach. I agree with what she says.
When I was moving to the Heber one of the things I looked at
was school scores. I tried to find a
home in an area where the school had a better grade. This became challenging as the areas with
better school grades the homes cost more than we could afford. Now my goal is to better the school in my
area. I definitely feel that better
parent involvement will help the schools do better overall.
